Scientists in US are exploring methods to bounce back some of sun's rays
Sending back the sun rays into space as a means of temporarily cooling Earth
Enhancing brightness of clouds to increase their reflection of incoming sunlight
According to a report from the New York Times, scientists in the United States are exploring methods to bounce back some of the sun’s rays into space as a means of temporarily cooling Earth. This initiative comes in response to the planet experiencing its hottest year on record in 2023.
One technique being investigated is cloud brightening, which involves enhancing the brightness of clouds to increase their reflection of incoming sunlight. By doing so, temperatures in a given area can be reduced. The goal is to position multiple devices over oceans to address the issue of rising sea temperatures.
Also read: Scientists at Indian Institute of Astrophysics uncover origins of 2013 solar burst
On April 2, researchers at the University of Washington conducted an experiment as part of a covert project called CAARE (Coastal Atmospheric Aerosol Research and Engagement). They launched a mist of salt particles into the sky at high velocity using a device resembling a snow machine, deployed atop a decommissioned aircraft carrier in San Francisco.
The underlying concept draws from the proposal of British physicist John Latham in 1990, wherein clouds are utilized as mirrors to reflect sunlight. Latham’s idea involved deploying a fleet of ships to disperse seawater droplets into the atmosphere, deflecting solar heat and consequently lowering global temperatures.
The mechanism behind this technology relies on the principle that a multitude of small droplets reflect more sunlight compared to fewer, larger droplets. Therefore, dispersing aerosol saltwater mist into the air can effectively bounce back sunlight.
With countries worldwide struggling to meet the target of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, scientists are exploring innovative solutions that could yield rapid and substantial impacts.
Scientists in US are exploring methods to bounce back some of sun's rays
Sending back the sun rays into space as a means of temporarily cooling Earth
Enhancing brightness of clouds to increase their reflection of incoming sunlight
According to a report from the New York Times, scientists in the United States are exploring methods to bounce back some of the sun’s rays into space as a means of temporarily cooling Earth. This initiative comes in response to the planet experiencing its hottest year on record in 2023.
One technique being investigated is cloud brightening, which involves enhancing the brightness of clouds to increase their reflection of incoming sunlight. By doing so, temperatures in a given area can be reduced. The goal is to position multiple devices over oceans to address the issue of rising sea temperatures.
Also read: Scientists at Indian Institute of Astrophysics uncover origins of 2013 solar burst
On April 2, researchers at the University of Washington conducted an experiment as part of a covert project called CAARE (Coastal Atmospheric Aerosol Research and Engagement). They launched a mist of salt particles into the sky at high velocity using a device resembling a snow machine, deployed atop a decommissioned aircraft carrier in San Francisco.
The underlying concept draws from the proposal of British physicist John Latham in 1990, wherein clouds are utilized as mirrors to reflect sunlight. Latham’s idea involved deploying a fleet of ships to disperse seawater droplets into the atmosphere, deflecting solar heat and consequently lowering global temperatures.
The mechanism behind this technology relies on the principle that a multitude of small droplets reflect more sunlight compared to fewer, larger droplets. Therefore, dispersing aerosol saltwater mist into the air can effectively bounce back sunlight.
With countries worldwide struggling to meet the target of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, scientists are exploring innovative solutions that could yield rapid and substantial impacts.
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